2024 Maritime Dinner Honors Jürgen Schröder
The Bayou City Event Center was the celebration hub for more than 700 guests from Houston’s ocean-going industry gathered to recognize Jürgen Schröder, founder Schröder Marine Services, Inc. Schröder was honored by the Greater Houston Port Bureau (“Port Bureau”) for his dedicated service to Houston’s maritime community for more than 50 years and for being a staunch champion of seafarer welfare at our 95th Annual Maritime Dinner on Aug. 24.
Queen of the Fleet sponsors Buffalo Marine Service, Inc., Callan Marine, Enterprise Products Partners L.P., Kinder Morgan, Kirby Corporation, Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc., Port Houston, and Vopak helped make the evening a remarkably momentous occasion.
The recognition program included a Resolution from Port Houston, Proclamations from the City of Houston and Harris County, and a video message of commendation from Senator John Cornyn. The special presentations were followed by keynote speakers Britton Cooper, senior vice president of The Cooper Group; Tom Marian, general counsel and vice president of Buffalo Marine Service, Inc.; and, Karl Schröder, vice president, Operations at Schröder Marine Services and Schröder’s eldest son. Each offered particularly heartfelt testimonials of Schröder’s contributions as well as their unique perspective of working with Schröder for decades in the port community.
“I think it is fitting that Jurgen received this award … When I first came here 30-something years ago, he was down on the docks showing guys how to hook up, how to rig shredding bars, how to stow project cargo. He didn’t ask anybody to do anything he wouldn’t do or know himself, so it was always an honor to work with him,” said Britton Cooper.
Karl Schröder described how his dad is a “personification” of the American Dream. He touched on the hardships faced by Schröder as a child, his diligence in work, and pursuit of new opportunities. Concluding his tribute to his father, Schröder said: “I speak for all my family, our employees, and our friends when I say my old man’s life is nothing short of amazing and reminds us that hard work and courage brings a payoff. He accomplished the American Dream and proved that the spirit of that dream is alive and well in here in Houston, Texas.”
Tom Marian recalled his first introduction to Schröder as being indicative of Schröder’s deep commitment to Houston’s port region. He recounted how Schröder “readily volunteered to spearhead an effort” to develop an air draft warning system following a Rickmers allision at the 610 bridge and “put his money where his mouth is”, contributing the initial seed money for the project. “This was an unsolicited act of generosity that underscored his commitment to the port,” said Marian.
Schröder’s vivid, colorful recollections of his 57-year tenure at the port and sincere thanks, were the highlight of the evening’s program. He reminded attendees that when he began in the port region, containerized cargo was still in its early stages of operation at the port.
“I didn’t have much experience, especially with containers,” recalled Schröder. “I told my people on my dock to load it ... That container [loaded with red, white, and blue paint] broke in two, right above the open hold of the ship. All that paint dripping 40 feet down. On the bottom, we had just loaded bales of cotton.”
It was a defining moment for Schröder, a “night to remember all my life”. In the days that followed he learned that his superintendent and fellow workers stood by him throughout the difficulties of the incident. “I became a successful superintendent – and I went on and on, and here I am today. If it weren’t for people like him [his superintendent and fellow workers] that stood up for me, I would never have been here.”
Schröder was presented with a replica of the U.S.S. Constitution. The presentation of the ship to each honoree has been a Port Bureau tradition for many years. The Port Bureau is privileged to honor leaders and companies offering outstanding commitment to Houston’s maritime community.